Aston Villa supporters’ first European away day this season has been marred by bother in Rotterdam.
Villa are within the Dutch metropolis forward of their Europa League journey at Feyenoord on Thursday evening – with 3,000 of the Premier League membership’s fanbase having made the journey to the Netherlands.
And 24 hours earlier than that match, ugly scenes ensued on Wednesday as a brawl got here to a head between rival Feyenoord and Aston Villa supporters.
In keeping with Dutch reviews, such AD, 5 individuals had been arrested with the suspects all native and confirmed as so by a police spokesperson.
De Telegraaf provides that the explanations behind it are unclear however that the incident occurred exterior an Irish pub on Rodezland.
In a video shared by X account The Away Days, footage might be seen of individuals in black clothes storming an space with glasses being smashed within the background.
Violence emerged in Rotterdam on Wednesday as Feyenoord and Aston Villa followers clashed
In one other video uploaded by @K6HolteEnd, they report: ‘Me and my son had been on the lookout for a bar and obtained to this bar however we did not attempt to go in because it appeared a bit tense then it kicked off. Right here is my son’s video.’
In that video individuals in black clothes arrive en masse to struggle earlier than dispersing attributable to police presence.
In addition to these movies and reviews, Dutch publication AD added that fireworks had been additionally set off in entrance of the resort that Aston Villa gamers had been staying at on Wednesday evening within the hope to disturb their sleep routine.
Within the lead as much as kick-off on Thursday, there might be a police presence with Villa supporters to be positioned within the Oude Haven (Outdated Port) a part of town.
Rotterdam is a spot of fond reminiscences for Villa – with the Midlands outfit successful the 1982 European Cup remaining there 1-0 in opposition to Bayern Munich.
Quick-forward 43 years and Villa need to construct upon their successful begin within the Europa League – which got here with a decent 1-0 overcome Bologna final Thursday.
Regardless of that win, Unai Emery is beneath no phantasm of the problem his facet face in opposition to Feyenoord.
In keeping with Dutch reviews, 5 individuals had been arrested with the suspects all native
‘I do know it. After all, they [the players] know, as effectively, the difficulties we are going to face tomorrow,’ he stated throughout his pre-match press convention on Wednesday.
‘Firstly, as a result of to play away, all the time is troublesome. Secondly, as a result of Europa League could be very, very troublesome.
‘Thirdly, as a result of Feyenoord, they carried out implausible final yr in Champions League. Each staff they had been enjoying right here, they had been struggling.
‘And I do know, the surroundings is admittedly supporting them and pushing them and enjoying like yet one more participant for them.
‘And we’ve to attempt to dominate via our persona, dominate our thought, to impose and attempt to cease them tactically and individually.
‘Be targeted, 90 minutes, and respecting them like the primary thought we’ve and the primary element we need to get tomorrow, respect them, attempt to play with our persona.’
